Method and apparatus for dry cleaning



March 3, 1931. J. F. BolNEY METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DRY CLEANING Filed Oct. l2, 1927 u r I t I l l l Patented Mar. 3, 1931 PATENT OFFICE JOSEPH I. BOINEY, Ol' TONAWAN'DA, NEW YORK HETHOD AND APPABATU FOR DRY VCLEANING application inea mm is, las?. sex-m so. 225,747.

' This invention relates to a method and ap- Y paratus for treating material or articles,

containing soluble or volatile matter which itis desired to remove therefrom.

.'s Heretofore in the washing or cleaning treatment of certainv articles it has been customary to submerge the articles in the' treating liquid 'or washin liquid and agitate the articles so as to su ject the same to the lo whirling action of thefliquid and to bring the articles into forceful contact with the liquid so that the treatment or washing will be more or less com lete. As this treating process continues tiie liquid becomes more 1.', or less contaminated and it is therefore imf possible to completely and thoroughly treat or wash the articles unless the first liquid is drained o and a fresh supply obtained which latter'is'not alwa s convenient and eo is more or less ob'ectionab e. l

The objects o the `present invention are to provide an improved processor method for automatically and continually adding a pure liquid or solution to the treating chamber while removing a portion of the contaminated solution therefrom; to provide a 4novel process and a paratus' for carrying out theproce'ss in which the treating solution is introduced into the treating chamber continually and completely removed therefroln intermittentlypwhereby the articles subjected4 to treatment are alternately relievedl and supplied with the treatment whereby an 5 alternate `flooding or 'soaking and then a draining or suctionaction is developed on the treated articles; to subject the articles vto a treating fluid confined within a closed circuit or course in which the liquid is given 40 a cycle of operation involving 4the introduction of the `liquid into the treating chamber for treating* the articles therein, then substantially exhausting the `chamber of such liquid, and vfinally rejuvenating the solution `or purifying-thehsame for re-introduction4 into the chamber during a succeeding cycle of o eration.

e invention also resides in the process of continually adding a cleansed solvent or solution` to a treating chamber, eifecting' rela- 50 tive a 'tation betweenthe solution and the materialsv treated within the chamber, and intermittently removin the solution from the latter; in the nove method of purify- -ing the solution after removal from the treat 65 ing chamber and rior to reintroduction therein; and in an improved apparatus for carrying into practice the novel rocess, as will be set forth more clearly 'in t e followin detailed description. Y f .V n the practice lof my improved method or process of treating articles with liquids I have shown on the attached sheet of drawings a simplified and more 'or less diagrammatic view of an apparatus,

Fig.- 1 depicting the apparatus for treating articles or material confinedv within the treating chamber, and j -'Fig. 2 showing in fragment an apparatus for carrying l out my recess on articles vl'o which are fed continual y or intermittently into the treating chamber. Y

Referring particularly to Fig. 1, I have shown at 1 t e treating chamber which is connected in fluid circuit with 'a tank or res- 75 ervoir 2 by afeed pipe or conduit 3 and a return ipe or conduit 4:, the feed pipe being prefera 1y divided into branches 3 and 3 for purposes hereinafter set .-forth. This arran ement provides a' closed `fluid circuit n- 80 `clu ing the 'reservoir 2, the pipe 8, the treatin chamber 1 and the return pipe 4.

Vithin the treatin chamber is preferably provided a support v or articles, the support 1n Fig. l'being indicated as a Vbasket or cage 85 Vl5 in which thearticles are contained during treatment. During the process 4of' treatment the solution or solvent is retained in the treatin chamber 1 until a certain depth is reache following which the liquid is drained 00 back into the reservoir 2. In this particular case the operative depth to which the liquid is permitted to reach in the treating chamber is suiiicient to substantialiy cover or submerge the cage 5 so as to flood and thoroughly soak the articles therein, following which the liquid is drained from the treating chamber back into the reservoir. This controlled draining or exhaustion of the liquid from the treating chamber is preferably automatic and the preferred automatic control of this liquid exhaustion is in the form of a Siphon 6 provided in the return pipe 4, the height of the Siphon being coextensive with the highest liquid level attainable in the treating chamber. Consequently, with the siphonic control the collected liquid in the treating chamber will automaticall drain from the latter upon reaching a leve in said chamber in the plane of the bend in the siphon 6, and after the siphon has initiated the draining flow its operation will effect racticall7 a complete drainage of the liquid rom sai chamber, whereupon the Siphon will be broken and the continually inilowing liquid will again be trapped and collected until the Siphon-actuating level is again reached. Thus, the articles confined within the basket 5 are alternately submerged and drained so that the eifect on the articles will be to thoroughly Wet or soak the same and then drain, in the nature of a suction or wringing action which is further enhanced by the weight of the upper articles settling on the lower articles in the basket.

There is also provided a certain agitation of the liquid so as to bring the liquid or solution into forceful contact with the articles. To accomplish this the basket is preferably moved within the treating chamber so as to agitate the li uid and cause it to move through the artic es within the basket. In carrying this thought ino practice, the basket is mounted on a vertical shaft 7 which is journaled in a bearing 8 and adapted to be driven by a source of ower (not shown) whereby the basket will rotated or oscillated to stir the articles contained therein and cause the fluid to penetrate and permeate the articles for a more thorough treatment.

The articles ma be introduced into the basket through a c osure 9 which is movable to a position opposite the closure 10 of the treating chamber. For the purposes of directing the inilowin liquid to a point central of the basket, the atter is providedwith a funnel-like hopper or receiver 11 immediately beneath the discharge end of the feed pipe 3, such hopper directin the Huid to the center of the bas et from w ich it is thrown outwardly throu h centrifugal force during rotation of the-c amber. Therefore, the articles within the basket are initially subjected to a radial flow of the liquid through the basket, followed by a more or less flota tion and agitation of the articles in the liquid after it reaches a predetermined level therein, and then a final draining or wringing action when the liquid is siphoned off.

As above stated the liquid is fed into the treating chamber by means of pipe 3 in a continuous stream or substantially so. In order to eifect this iiow or current of the liquid through the pipe 3 suitable How-inducing means are provided. In branch 3 I have rovided mechanical means indicated by a orce feed pum 12, the inlet of which communicates with t e reservoir Zat a point below the mean level of the liquid contained therein. A suitable filter or strainer 13 may be provided in this branch so as to remove the major portion, if not all, of the suspended impurities inthe liquid drawn from the reservoir by the pump to be discharged into the treatinY chamber. This closed iiuid circuit throng the pump is admirably adapted for the treatin of certain articles or material, but where 1t is desired to have the liquid in its t purest state when fed to the treatin chamber the closed circuit is through branc 3. shunting entirely the branch 3 The means for inducing the iow through branch 3' comprises a vaporizer and a condenser, the former heating the liquid in the reservoir by applying heat thereto. This heat may b e applied electrically of otherwise althoughl in the preferred showing I have equipped the reservoir with a steam jacket 14 having a steam inlet pipe 15 and an out-flow pipe 17, suitable valves 16 being r0- vided in these pipes to regulate the heating. The vapors, arising from the liquid in the reservoir, are conducted upwardl through the branch 3'. and before being dlscharged into the treating chamber are condensed into liquid form b means of a condenser such as that indicate at 18 so that the liquids of condensation will discharge in a steady stream from the pipe 3 into the treating chamber. In Vorder to msure a practically pure liquid being fed into the treating chamber the branch 3 may be rovided with a strainer or'ilter of charcoaFor other suitable formation to be inserted in the branch 3f at any desired point,"'either precedin the condenser 18 as shown at 19, or following the saine as indicated at 19' for acting to remove any coloringmatterin the liquid. Sodium carbonate and caustic soda are added to the reservoir 2 to saponify4 the grease and fatty acids and also neutralize the sweat and acids. The discharge end of the Siphon 6 is preferably carried down to a point in proximity to the bottom of the reservoir and is confronted with a baie 20 to thereby avoid an unusual disturbance of any sediment which may collect at the bottom of the reservoir. The supply of liquid may be replenished from time to time through the fillin pipe 21, and the temperature of the liqui within the reservoir may be readily ascertained by means of a thermometer such as that indicated at 22.

The treating solution or liquid may be of that character or composition best suited for the articles to be treated. For example, if fabrics or articles of wearing apparel are to be cleaned, the solution may well be gasoline. Considering for the moment that a batch of dark clothes are to be cleaned, the same having been inserted into the basket 5the pump 12 is putin operation to lift the gasoline from the reservoir 2 for discharge through the pipe 3 into the reservoir 11 and from thence into the clothes within said basket. The basket is oscillated or rotated continuously and as the gasoline collects in the treating chamber 1 the clothes will be agitated and swished about in the collected gasoline until the level of gasoline reaches the maximum height as determined by the Siphon 6 whereupon the siphon will commence its op eration and exhaust the treating chamber of the liquid whereupon the Siphon will automatically cease to operate. Obviously the drainage capacity exceeds the volume of inflow where the inflow is continuous. As the gasoline drains from the clothes in the basket A4."5 it will draw off the dirt, grease and other foreign matter from the clothes. Furthermore, with the centrifugal force of the rotating basket the residual 'liquid will be forcefully ejected so as to leave the clothes semidried or in a sli htly dampened condition. As soon as the sip on is broken by the depletion of the supply of gasoline in the treating chamber the continually inflowing gasoline will again begin to collect within said chamber and start another cycle of operation. By means of a window or sight opening 23 the relative purity of the returned gasoline may be readily ascertained for determining the approximate extent to which the clothes have been cleaned.

After stopping the cycles of operation and shutting od the pump 12 the residual solvent may be removed from the clothes, if desired. This may readily be accomplished by heating the treating chamber in a suitable manner, such as by jacketing the chamber, as indicated at 24, and admitling steam thereto throu h pipe 25 and exhausing the steam therefrom y pipe 26. The vapors arising from the clothes will then pass through the pipe 3 and downwardly through the filter 19 to be condensed therebelow by means of a condenser 27 before passing into the reservoir 2. Obviously the condenser 18 will be inactive during this drying operation, and during the cleaning operation the condenser 27 will likewise be inoperative. During the cleaning cycle of operation an vapors which pass over into and collect in tl/ie treating chamber may be condensed by means of a condenser 28 applied to the treating chamber or a dome 29 communicating therewith. Any condensed gasoline vapors collecting in this dome will obviously drop into the receiver 11 and thence ass on into the clothes. Previous to the drying operation any collected gasoline in the treating chamber may be removed., which removal is accomplished by shunting the siphon 6 and draining the gasoline direct into the reservoir through a valveddrain-branch 30.

If it is desired to clean white or 'light colin the basket 5 and, in lieu of utilizing the in the basket 5 and, in lien of utilizing the pump for creating a flow, the gasoline within the reservoir is vaporized by the application of heat thereto and the vapors passed upwardly through the branch 3 and its embodied filter 19, converted back into pure gasoline by the condenser 18 and delivered in liquid form to the treating chamber by pipe 3. Thesame operation of agitating the apparel in the liquid as it collects in the treating chamber follows as in the former instance. As soon as the collected gasoline in the treating chamber reaches the Siphon-initiating level the Siphon 6 will begin to drain the gaso line back into the reservoir and after the draining is completed and the siphon broken the condensed liquid continuously being fed into the treating chamber by means of pipe 3 will again be collected to begin another cycle. In these cycles of operation practically pure gasoline is delivered to the treating chamber, and by observing the condition qf the gasoline when returned to the reservoir, through the window 23*y the cleanliness of the apparel in the basket may readily be determined. These articles of apparel may then be dried as in the former instance.

From the foregoing it will be noted that the cleaning or treating solution is fed continuously to the treating chamber, is removed intermittently therefrom so that there will be an interval during which the liquid collects in the treating chamber, and is rejuvenated or purified either mechanically or through the vaporization and condensation thereof and is then again fed into the treating chamber. We thus have a closed circuit in which the liquid is delivered to the articles being treated in a pure or relatively pure state and is intermittently removed from the articles so that the liquid, which is contaminated with the grease and foreign matter on the clothes, is removed and a fresh supply provided so that each successive washing or treatment is begun in a relatively pure liquid and each successive removal of the collected liquid is less contaminated than the preceding removals as the articles become cleaner. Further, by the intermittent removal of the liquid from the treated articles the draining action tends to loosen or remove foreign matter from the articles which is not possible where the liquid is maintained at a definite and constant level. By the drying operation the articles may be IUD completely dried before removal from the basket. The same treating fluid is used over and over again without any substantial loss of content because of the closed circuit and yet each portion of liquid delivered to the treating chamber is relatively pure. The collected sediment in the reservoir 2 may be removed at stated intervals by means of a draw-off passage 31.

The intermittent drainage of the Washing solution from the treating chamber is preferably performed automatically, and in the disclosure in Fig. 1 the Siphon 6 comprises this automatic regulator or control but obviously a float-controlled contrivance such as is depicted in Fig. 2 may be utilized when desired. In this more or less diagrammatic view the treating chamber 1 is provided with an endless article-feed or support in the form of a belt 5. This belt is preferably guided in above the maximum level of the liquid in said chamber 1 and then directed downwardly to submerge the articles carried thereby in the collected liquid. An agitator 7 may be provided in the chamber for agitating the'endless conveyor with its supported articles or material, if agitation is desired. A valve/l 1s inserted in the drain or exhaust pipe 4 for exhausting the liquid from the chamber 1, this valve being controlled by a float 32 connected by a chain 33 to a system of levers 34 which latter is connected to the valve 4' s0 that when the liquid is exhausted from the chamber 1' and the fioat drops, its Weight Will act to close the valve and when the collecting liquid lifts the iloat the latter Will open the valve.

The form of the invention disclosed in Fig.y

2 is especially adapted for the treatment. of paper pulp or other material or articles Whlch could be fed continuously or intermittently to the chamber 1' the treating solution in such cases varying with the circumstances, the terms material and article being used 1nterchangeably. Water or other solvents may be used depending upon the material to be treated. The liquid may be cleansed before it reaches the chamber 2 or subsequently thereto, such as by means of a strainer or ilter indicated at 13.

In the case of dry cleaning wearing apparel, for instance, the flow of gasoline or other liquid from the reservoir to the treating chamber may be through the pump at first, which flow is mechanically cleansed by reason of the filter or strainer 13. This flow may be continuous throughout the entire cleansing operation, but if it is desired to have the last or final soaking and cleansing actions in an absolutely pure liquid, the pump could be cut ot and heat applied to the reservoir to distill the gasoline over into the treating chamber through branch 3 so that a practically pure liquid will be fed into the treating chamber.

The reservoir has been shown below the treating chamber but obviously this might be mounted on the same level or even thereabove, a suitable and intermittently controlled pump being located in the return pipe 4, and if the reservoir is located above the treating chamber the pump 12 in branch feed pipe 3 may be dispensed with because a How in that instance Would be by gravity.

After a considerable quantity of sediment, grease, soap, etc., accumulates at the bottom of reservoir 2 it may be desirous to remove the same and purify the gasoline or other liquid. This may be accomplished by closing a valve 6 to prevent operation of the siphon, then heating the reservoir 2 to distill the gasoline over into the treating chamber 1, and finally after all or substantially all of the gasoline has been distilled, the sediment and other residue in said reservoir may be removed through the drain pipe 31. After the reservoir has been cleaned and the drain pipe closed, the valve 30 may be opened to drain the purified gasoline or liquid back into the reservoir. attention being given to the closing of the valve 30 after the quantity of gasoline has been returnedpto the reservoir, and the opening of the valve 6 Obviously after a batch of articles has been Washed or cleansed in the basket 5 and the drymg operation remains to be carried out, a considerable quantity of residual gasoline or liquid may be removed from the articles in the basket through centrifugal action, following which the heat applied to the treating chambler Will effect a complete drying of the artic es.

The mechanical filtering or purification of the liquid by means of the screen 13 is of course assisted by the chemicals in the reservoir when such chemicals have been added. In certain treating operations it may not be advantageous to add such chemicals but where they are added and the saponification takes 'place the soapy formation will collect at the b ottom of the reservoir leaving the lighter liquid which is drawn off by the pump in a relatively pure state.

I claim as my invention:

1Z The process of treating material consisting 1n continually supplying a pure solution to the articles being treated, agitating the material in said solution, collecting the solution to a material-submerging level, and then quickly removing the collected solution from the material.

2. The process of treating material or articles consisting in continually supplying a solvent solution for dirt and grease to the material to be treated, intermittently collecting the solution so as to intermittently submerge the material in the collected solution, intermittently removing the collected solution from the material, and then returning the removed solution to the material for an other cycle of treatment.

3. The process of treating material or articles consisting in continually supplying a solvent solution fordirt and grease to the material to be treated, collecting the solution so as to submerge the material in the collected solution, intermittently removing the collected solution from the material, and then purifying the removed solution and returning it to the material for another cycle of treatment.

4. A method of treating articles consisting in providing an article-treating chamber, feeding a solvent to the chamber, removing the solvent from the chamber, continuously agitating the articles in the chamber during the feeding of the solvent as well as during the removal of the solvent from the chamber, purifying the removed solvent and returning it to the chamber for another cycle of treatment, all within a closed circuit.Y

5. The method of treating or cleansing articles consisting in providing a treating chamber in closed circuit with a solvent solution reservoir, feeding the solution from the reservoir into the treating chamber continuously, and removing the solution from the treating chamber intermittently and returning it to the reservoir.

6. The method of treating or cleansing articles consisting in providing a treating chamber in closed circuit with a solvent solution reservoir, feeding the solution from the reservoir into the treating chamber continuously, removing the solution from the treating chamber and returning it to the reservoir intermittently, and purifying and refeeding the returned solution to the treating chamber.

7. The method of treating or cleansing articles consisting in providing a treating chamber in closed circuit with a solvent solution reservoir, feeding the solution from the reservoir into the treating chamber continuously, removing the solution from the treating chamber and returning it to the reservoir intermittently, interrupting the feed of the solution to the chamber and applying heat to the latter for removing the residual solvent from the articles being treated, and returning the removed residual solvent in solution to the reservoir.

8. The method of treating or cleansing articles consisting in providing a treating chamber in closed circuit with a solvent solution reservoir, feeding the solution from the reservoir into the treating chamber continuously, removing the solution from the treating chamber and returning it to the reservoir intermittently, and finally interrupting the feed of the solution to the chamber removing the residual solvent from the articles being treated and returning it to the reservoir..

9. Article-treating apparatus comprising a treating chamber, a reservoir, a feed pipe leadin from the latter to the former, a return pipe leading from the chamber to the reservoir, said chamber and reservoir being in a closed circuit, means for introducing a fiow of liquid from the. reservoir to the chamber, means in said return pipe operable intermittently, and subsequent to a predetermined level of liquid being reached in said chamber, for draining the liquid therefrom, and means for a'gitating the articles and the liquid in the treating chamber prior and during the operation of said intermittent means.

10. A method of treating articles consisting in providing a closed circuit between a treatin chamber and a liquid. containing reservoir, creating a iow of liquid from the latter to the treating chamber, intermittently removing the liquidfrom the treating charnber back to the reservoir, and agitating the articles in the treating chamber in contact with the liquid therein.

11. The process of treating articles consisting in flowing a mechanically cleansed liquid into a treating chamber for contact with articles therein, removing the liquid from the treating chamber at intervals back to a supply reservoir from which the liquid may be a ain mechanically cleansed and iiowed again to the treating chamber, all in a closed circuit, and after the cleansing process has developed to a predetermined point then to interrupt the mechanically cleansed fiow of liquid and substitute a relatively purer flow of liquid.

12. The process of treating articles consisting in flowing a mechanically cleansed liquid 'into a treating'chamber for contact with articles therein, returning the liquid from the treating chamber at intervals back to a supply reservoir from which the liquid may be again mechanically cleansed and flowed again to the treating chamber, interrupting the mechanically cleansed flow of liquid, and then distilling the liquid in the reservoir and condensing its vapors over into the chamber for creating a flow of relatively pure cleansing liquid thereto.

13. Apparatus for treating articles comprising a treating chamber, a reservoir, a cleansing liquid feed pipe from the reservoir to the treating chamber, a drain pipe from the chamber to the reservoir, a second feed ipe from the reservoir for discharging into the chamber, a condenser for condensing the vapors arising from the reservoir through said second feed pipe whereby a relatively purified flow of liquid may be delivered to the treating chamber when the flow through the first feed pipe is interrupted, and means fer vaporizing the liquid in the reservoir.

14. Apparatus for treating articles cornprising a treating chamber, a supply reservoir, a. feed pipe from the reservoir to the treating chamber, a drain pipe from the chamber back to the reservoir, a second feed pipe from the reservoir for discharging into the chamber, means for condensing the' vapors arising from the reservoir throu h said second feed pipe for flowing into t e chamber whereby a relatively puried flow of 1i uid may be delivered to the treating cham er when the flow through the first feed pipe is interrupted, means for Vaporizing the liquid in the reservoir, and means for condensing any vapors which may pass into the treating chamber.

JOSEPH F. BOINEY.

treating chamber, a drain pipe from the chamber back to the reservoir, a second feed pipe from the reservoir for discharging into the chamber, means for condensing the 5 vapors arising from the reservoir through sind second feed pipe for owing into the chamber whereby a relatively purified iow of 1i uid may be delivered to the treating cham er when the ow through the first feed lo pipe is interrupted, means for vaporizing the liquid in the reservoir, and means for condensing any vapors which may pass into the treating chamber.

JOSEPH F. BOINEY.

camminata or conaeCnoN.

Patent No. 1,795,006. Granted March 3, 1931, to`

iosarn r. colmar.

lt is hereby certified that error appears inA the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction-as follows: Page 2, line 96, for the word "of" read or; page 3, line 51, for the misspelled word "xhausing" read exhausting', same page, strike out line 75, and insert instead the syllable and words "ored wearing apparel or fabric, such is,placed"; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may coni form to the` record of the case in the Patent Office.

vSigned and sealed this 24th day of March, A. D. 1931.

Y M. I. Moore,

(Seal)w Acting Commissioner oi Patents.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,795,006. Granted March 3, 1931, to

JOSEPH F. BOINEY.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, line 96, for the word "of" read or; page 3, line 5l, for the misspelled word "xhausing" read exhausting; same page, strike out line 75, and insert instead the syllable and words "ored wearing apparel or fabric, such isrplaced'k and that the said Letters Patent should he read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 24th day of March, A. D. 1931.

M. J. Moore, (sul) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

